Islam Makhachev reacts to Arman Tsarukyan’s secret technique

LOS ANGELES – Islam Makhachev doubts that Arman Tsarukyan really has anything special in store for him at UFC 311.

Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title in a rematch against Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) at the Intuit Dome.

Tsarukyan teased a never-before-seen “secret technique” he plans to use against Makhachev. However, Makhachev isn’t buying any of his talk.

“Man, I said you don’t believe what Arman says,” Makhachev said Wednesday at UFC 311 media day. “Because last time he said (he) will finish (Charles) Oliveira in one round, but they all go the distance and he won by split decision. That’s why you shouldn’t believe him.”

Makhachev has beaten Tsarukyan before, and despite Tsarukyan’s vast improvements since his UFC debut, Makhachev doesn’t see him as his sternest test yet.

“No,” answered Makhachev. “If I give him a chance to work, he’s going to be dangerous. He’s going to be a tough fight, but all the guys that I fought with lost five times. I don’t know, they’re always dangerous. Oliveira, a of the most dangerous guys in our division.

“How many submissions, how many knockouts does he have? Volkanovski, one of the toughest guys in our sport. It’s MMA. All fighters, contenders, when you’re fighting for the title, they’re all dangerous. If I let them work, its a tough fight but if i can follow my plan it will be easy inshallah.”

For more on the card, visit the MMA Junkies event hub for UFC 311.